Making degrowth locally meaningful: the case of the Faroese grindadráp

Abstract While the doxa of growth continues to dominate mainstream understandings of what constitutes a healthy economy, the concept and agenda of degrowth beg for theorization about how culture and power render some economic strategies more viable and meaningful than others. In this article we discuss the highly contested practice of Faroese pilot whaling, grindadráp. Through autoethnographic methods we identify and analyze forces challenging this deep-rooted practice, both within and outside Faroese society. Faroese resistance to abandon the practice, expressed in local pro-whaling narratives suggest that, in the struggle to legitimize the grindadráp as a sustainable and eco-friendly practice, Faroese people are simultaneously deconstructing central tenets of the global food system, and comparing grindadráp favorably with the injustices and cruelties of industrial food procurement. In this sense, we argue that the grindadráp not only constitutes a locally meaningful alternative to growth-dominated economic practices, but may also, in this capacity, inspire Faroese people to reduce engagement with economic activities that negatively impact the environment and perpetuate social and environmental injustices in the world. Keywords: Degrowth, whaling, Faroe Islands, relational ethic, noncapitalism

The Social Metabolism of Quiet Sustainability in the Faroe Islands

This paper investigates the interrelations between social metabolism and socio-ecological sustainability in the Faroe Islands in a long-term perspective. It traces the trajectory and changes in socio-metabolic configurations from the time of settlement until today and shows how social metabolism has increased to very high per capita levels during the past century. The analysis departs from the recognition that a decrease in social metabolism, i.e., a net reduction in throughput of natural resources in human economies, is necessary in order to curb the impending ecological crisis. It is argued that parallel to the growth oriented formal Faroese economy, economic food-provisioning practices rooted in the traditional, and ecologically sustainable, land management system continue to be practiced by Faroese people. These practices can be conceptualized as practices of so-called “quiet sustainability” and their contribution is estimated in bio-physical metrics of weight. The analysis shows that practices of “quiet sustainability” contribute significant quantities of certain food items to the local population thereby enhancing food security and food sovereignty. Moreover, these practices are an integral element in the biocultural diversity, which has constituted the Faroe Islands for close to two millennia. Therefore, they should be considered real alternatives to import-based consumption and taken into account in sustainability discourse and policy to a higher degree than is currently the case

Making degrowth locally meaningfull:the case of the Faroese grindadráp

While the doxa of growth continues to dominate mainstream understandings of what constitutes a healthy economy, the concept and agenda of degrowth beg for theorization about how culture and power render some economic strategies more viable and meaningful than others. In this article we discuss the highly contested practice of Faroese pilot whaling, grindadráp. Through autoethnographic methods we identify and analyze forces challenging this deep-rooted practice, both within and outside Faroese society. Faroese resistance to abandon the practice, expressed in local pro-whaling narratives suggest that, in the struggle to legitimize the grindadráp as a sustainable and eco-friendly practice, Faroese people are simultaneously deconstructing central tenets of the global food system, and comparing grindadráp favorably with the injustices and cruelties of industrial food procurement. In this sense, we argue that the grindadráp not only constitutes a locally meaningful alternative to growth-dominated economic practices, but may also, in this capacity, inspire Faroese people to reduce engagement with economic activities that negatively impact the environment and perpetuate social and environmental injustices in the world

7. Faroe Islands

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The Effect of Maternal Age on Obstetric Interventions in a Low-Risk Population.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink belowObstetric interventions appear to increase with advancing maternal age, but limited supporting evidence exists, particularly for young women and specifically for prelabor and intrapartum cesarean birth. The aim of this study was to explore the association between obstetric interventions and maternal age in a low-risk population. The study was restricted to all low-risk, nulliparous women with singleton, vertex, term births who gave birth in Iceland from 1997 to 2015, identified in the Icelandic Medical Birth Registry. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% CIs for the risks of labor induction, instrumental birth, and cesarean birth (prelabor and intrapartum), according to maternal age group. All models were adjusted for gestational age, year of birth, and demographic factors, and the models for intrapartum cesarean birth were also adjusted for dystocia and fetal distress. For women aged more than 40 years, the aOR for induction of labor was 4.69 (95% CI, 3.2-6.8) compared with women aged between 25 and 29 years. In women aged more than 40 years, the increased risks for prelabor cesarean birth and intrapartum cesarean birth were 7.4 (95% CI, 3.0-18.0) and 3.6 (95% CI, 2.1-6.0), respectively. The risk of instrumental birth was slightly increased for women aged between 35 and 39 years (aOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3-2.0), compared with women aged between 25 and 29 years, but not for women aged at least 40 years (aOR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.7-1.9). For women aged less than 20 years, the risk of induction of labor (aOR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.7-0.9) and instrumental births (aOR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.5-0.7) was reduced compared with women aged between 25 and 29 years. The risk of interventions generally increased with increasing maternal age, but the risk of instrumental births was not increased for women aged over 40 years. Also, young women were at a decreased risk of induction of labor and instrumental births

PPGIS for a better understanding of people’s values:experiences from Finland and the Faroe Islands

202

Arctic cruise tourism and social license to operate: exploring social acceptance and trust in cruise tourism

Expanding debate surrounds the impacts the rapidly increasing volume of cruise ships to the Arctic region are having on local ports and communities. This debate largely centres on the influx of visitors and concern about cultural interaction. This paper evaluates the feasibility of using the concept of Social License to Operate (SLO) in Arctic cruise tourism by identifying how attitudes and perceptions pertain to acceptance and trust. Insights are gathered from both passengers and local stakeholders in Iceland and Faroe Islands. Results reveal cruise companies’ dominance in itinerary planning, with minimal communication among destinations. Economic concerns overshadow collaborative planning, leading to varying levels of acceptance among the diverse stakeholders of cruise tourism. While those benefiting economically support the industry, others express reservations. This dichotomy in opinion regarding acceptance and trust highlights the SLO’s challenges within tourism in general. For SLO to have relevance and legitimacy within cruise tourism, flow and circulation of perspectives is critical

Value Chains and Resilient Coastal Communities in the Nordic Atlantic

This report presents new and updated knowledge about Nordic coastal communities and their socio-economic situation. We investigate key structures and value chains in eight coastal communities in Greenland, Iceland, the Faroes, and Norway. The report highlights local variations in the interaction between value chains and local resilience and provides a comparative perspective. The report uncovers new trends and important development characteristics for Nordic coastal communities, with diversification, continued household-based activities and person-specific factors found to be key for success in business life and for resilience at the local level. Our results also call into question some of the challenges and conventional truths facing coastal community development in a period where solutions are being sought for sustainability and the climate challenge